The maturing of LeBron James

Everybody can remember at time in their lives in which you acted in a “less than stellar” way, or immature. Sometimes it takes a few years to get with the program, and realize that there is a bigger-picture to life other than yourself in mind.

When LeBron James was a free-agent during the summer of 2010, he did things in that “less than stellar” way; in fact, a very immature way. Where James went, the circus followed along. He left his home-city in Cleveland and team in the Cavaliers completely in the dark when he announced to the world he would be heading to South-Beach for all of the world to witness.

The television special The Decision very sad state-of-affairs to say the least.

Four-years later however, it appears at least on the surface that James has matured. This time around he did things as quietly and has classy as possible. He simply released a letter to state his intentions for his future, according to SportsIllustrated.com.

Part of the letter reads this: “My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”

More from the letter: "Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today."

The letter (or essay) to Sports Illustrated can be summarized as a very honest and humbling way of describing things.

The fact that James did not even speak with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert prior to him announcing his intentions of playing in Miami four-years ago speaks volumes to what his character was then.

The fact that James was able to forgive Gilbert for the infamous letter he wrote to the city of Cleveland after James left, again speaks volumes what his character is now. Gilbert called James every name in the book including “coward” and “traitor,” according to ESPN.com.

In essence, what James is telling the world is both he and Gilbert made mistakes during those rough-times, and they both be forgiven. It is now a new-day and the Cavaliers, James, Gilbert and the city of Cleveland could not be happier.

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